Patient Education Library

As a pharmacist, it's important for you to assist patients with managing therapy for specific disease states. Utilize the materials below to help your patients manage certain conditions. If you specialize in certain conditions and have resources you're able to share, please contact MPA.

Arthritis

• Arthritis Foundation of Michigan: Access information about exercise and education programs in the state, upcoming events, contact information, educational products, details on different types of arthritis and more.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Arthritis Program: The CDC provides a wealth of information on arthritis, including basics, data and statistics, interventions, resources, publications and more.
• Michigan Arthritis Program: The State of Michigan works with multiple partners and stakeholders, including the Michigan Arthritis Collaborative Partnership, to ensure that people with arthritis have an improved quality of life. Visit this page on the State of Michigan Web site for more details and a contact that can provide additional details about the program.

Asthma

Studies have shown that when a patient uses a spacer with a rescue inhaler or long-term control inhaler, more of the inhaler medication gets to the lungs. Michigan Medicaid plans now allow up to four spacers/valved holding chambers (VHCs) each year, at the pharmacy, with no prior authorization. Patients must still obtain a prescription for the spacer or VHC, but the pharmacy can fill the prescription rather than sending the patient to DME.

Michigan Medicaid: Have patients contact the health plan. All Medicaid plans allow up to four spacers/VHCs each year, at the pharmacy, with no prior authorizations.

Commercial Insurance: Have patients call their health plan and find out if it is covered at the DME. If it is, call the DME and ask if they will mail it to the pharmacy. They will need a doctor to send the patient a prescription. 

Explore the following links to learn more about spacers and valved holding chambers as well as links to resources to use in the pharmacy:

• GetAsthmaHelp.org: Pharmacists can help patients get the most from their asthma medication by teaching them how to tell if their asthma is not in control, when to use their rescue and long-term control medications and how to use a spacer and why it's important. 
• Spacers/valved-holding chambers (VHCs): Spacers/VHCs are an important part of medication delivery for most quick-relief and long-term control asthma medications. Many brands of these devices and their masks are now on the Medicaid Plan Common Formulary, so keeping the right ones in stock is easier. All of the Medicaid plans allow up to four spacers/VHCs per year with no prior authorization. Many peak flow meters are also included on the Common Formulary. 
• Pharmacists Asthma Report (PAR): The Pharmacist's Asthma Report (PAR) is a tool to help improve communication between pharmacists and clinicians about their patients' medication use and (optional) asthma control. It can be customized with the pharmacy's logo and contact information, and uses a writeable PDF with drop-down menus and check boxes that make it quick and easy to fill out and send. Choose from three versions to find the one that works best for your pharmacy:
• Original PAR, with basic comprehensive asthma control supporting information at the bottom
• PAR Light, with a more simplified asthma control section at the bottom
• PAR Clinic, to be used in a clinic setting where all patients with asthma are being assessed, not just those with inappropriate asthma medication issues
• Additional Links and Information:
• General information about asthma medication and devices
• Quick ways to learn about your patient's asthma
• How to use an inhaler with a spacer/valved-holding chamber
• How to use a diskus inhaler
• How to use a peak flow meter
• Patient handouts on nebulizers, asthma control, steroid safety, triggers, MDI law, devices and more
• Basic Spacer Policy - Medicaid
• Michigan Spacer Infographic
• Delivery of Asthma Education During Patient Visits: The Michigan Asthma Resource Kit (MARK) has many handouts that can help your patients better understand and manage their asthma, including information about medications, triggers, devices and health insurance. 
• Webinar: Dr. Steven Tilles, 2017 President of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, discusses making the most of a 15-minute visit for asthma. View webinar here. 
• Asthma Action Plan: Help your patients keep track of their asthma and your asthma medicines with this action plan tool available from Script Your Future.
• Tools for Asthma Control: Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site for asthma tools to share with patients, including forms, personalized plans and clinical guidelines.

Blood Pressure

• High Blood Pressure: Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site for high blood pressure information, including types, risk factors, guidelines and recommendations, and other resources for patients and professionals.
• Team Up. Pressure Down: Access resources from the Million Hearts campaign, including a continuing education course, poster, pocket discussion tool, blood pressure guide, postcard and blood pressure calculator.
• Understanding Blood Pressure Readings: The American Heart Association offers a comprehensive guide to understanding blood pressure readings.

Cholesterol

• Cholesterol: The American Heart Association Web site provides information on what cholesterol is; symptoms, diagnosis and monitoring; why cholesterol matters; prevention and treatment of cholesterol; and cholesterol tools and resources.
• What Can I Do to Help Lower My Cholesterol?: The American College of Physicians Foundation created a tip sheet for what patients can do to lower their cholesterol.

Diabetes

• Journey for Control: This Merck program offers a variety of tools for patients, including healthy eating recipes, tips for staying active, a daily diary, weekly tracker, downloadable PDF tools and more.
• Patient Resources: The American Association of Diabetes Educators offers healthy eating handouts, a self-care brochure for everyday tips and links to additional health care resources.
• Resources for Professionals: The American Diabetes Association offers a variety of diabetes resources for professionals to education their patients, including a food advisor, patient education toolkit, health test card and animations that can be used in presentations.
• Script Your Future: This campaign provides diabetes tools such as a type 2 diabetes pill guide, a guide to medicine used to treat diabetes and a virtual coach to help patients create a personal health plan.

Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases

• Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease Guidelines: Access clinical guidelines from the American College of Gastroenterology.
• GI Patient Education and Resource Center: Access patient resources, including information on various GI procedures, the latest news, a gastroenterologist and liver expert locator and more.

Hepatitis

• Hepatitis Infographic: MPA created an infographic to assist members with educating the public on the basics of the three different types of hepatitis. It provides an overview of how hepatitis A, B and C are spread, vaccine availability, and data from Michigan and nationwide.
• Hepatitis B Foundation: This Web site features an education center for Hepatitis B, including a National Library of Medicine tutorial that includes many web-based resources to educate patients on Hepatitis B. In addition, share a tutorial with your patients on living with Hepatitis B.
• Hepatitis Resource Center: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers a viral hepatitis resource center that includes publications that can be ordered or downloaded, patient education materials and fact sheets, training resources and observance resources for hepatitis awareness month and testing day.

Herpes Zoster (Shingles)

• Shingles: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site describes the disease, and provides podcasts, information for health care professionals and vaccination.
• Shingles (Zoster): The Immunization Action Coalition provides downloadable pertussis handouts, vaccine information statements, pocket guides and up-to-date vaccine recommendations.

HIV/AIDS

• AIDS.gov: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services providers a wealth of information at AIDS.gov such as HIV/AIDS 101, prevention, federal resources, and news and events.
• HIV/AIDS Patient Resources: The Association of Reproductive Health Professionals offers a variety of resources, including an interactive tutorial from the Patient Education Institute, fact sheets on HIV risk, preventive HIV vaccine information, patient information from HIV Insite and more.

Influenza

• Get Information and Vaccines from Your Pharmacist: Share this article with patients that covers the importance of utilizing pharmacists as the most accessible health care providers during flu season.
• Pharmacist-Provided Immunizations: MPA provides a variety of information online including Michigan seasonal flu updates, vaccine information statements, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations and how patients can access the HealthMap Vaccine Finder to locate a provider in their area.

Meningitis

• Important Information Regarding Meningitis: The Michigan Department of Community Health offers updated information on the fungal meningitis outbreak on their Web site as well as treatment options and other information.
• Multistate Meningitis Outbreak FAQs: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers frequently asked questions about meningitis for patients on their Web site.

Obesity

• A Look at Obesity: MPA released an edition of Pharmacy Insights that focuses on obesity in Michigan, the pharmacist's role in weight loss and obesity in type 2 diabetics.
• Healthy Kids, Healthy Michigan: Healthy Kids, Healthy Michigan is a coalition dedicated to reducing childhood obesity in Michigan. They offer a family guide that includes healthy eating and physical activity, statistics and information about upcoming events.
• Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Program: The Michigan Department of Community Health offers a program to prevent and control obesity and other chronic diseases through healthful eating and physical activity. Planning documents and surveillance updates are available on the Web site.

Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

• Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Bookmark: In collaboration with the Franny Strong Foundation, MPA created a printable resource for pharmacists to utilize that promotes recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for pertussis vaccination. Provisions recommend the pertussis vaccine for all pregnant women, regardless of whether or not they've received it in the past. Visit the Immunizations page and click on "Pertussis Vaccine Awareness" to access this resource.
• Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Vaccination: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers fact sheets, FAQs about pertussis outbreaks, stories from parents and more.
• Pertussis (Whooping Cough): The Immunization Action Coalition provides downloadable pertussis handouts, vaccine information statements, pocket guides and up-to-date vaccine recommendations.

Pneumococcal Disease (Pneumonia)

• Pneumonia: The American Lung Association has detailed information about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment for many types of pneumonia as well as important prevention information.
• World Pneumonia Day: The Global Coalition Against Childhood Pneumonia celebrates this day on Nov. 12 each year. The observance Web site offers pneumonia progress reports, news releases, success stories and an activist toolkit with a wide variety of resources.

Medication Lists

As a pharmacist, you may understand the importance of keeping an accurate, up-to-date record of medications; however, it seems that few patients keep a medication list with them. Here are a few talking points that may help you convey the importance of this simple task:

• Medication lists help you track and manage all of your medications, including medication allergies. Keep the list updated and bring it to all medical appointments. An out-of-date list can be dangerous, especially if you have had to stop a medication due to an allergy or serious side effect.
• Medication lists help your pharmacist(s) and physician(s) monitor for duplicate therapy, medication interactions, etc. This is especially important if you use multiple pharmacies and/or see multiple prescribers.
• If you are hospitalized or are in an emergency situation and are unable to communicate, personal medication lists are the most complete and accurate source of your medications and how you have been taking them.
• Misunderstandings with and errors in interpreting verbally-communicated medical information are common.
• Creating and maintaining a medication list is easy to do and it may save your life!

Here are a few recommendations for online resources that will help your patients manage their medications:

The following tools help patients take their medications appropriately and provide tips to help them discuss concerns with their pharmacist or physician.

• Are You Taking Medication as Prescribed?: The Food and Drug Administration offers a consumer update on medication adherence or taking medications as prescribed.
  
• Ask Me 3™: This patient education program designed to promote communication between health care providers and patients in order to improve health outcomes. Access health literacy reference resources online. You can also order products.
  
• Brown Bag Medication Review: A tried and true way to educate your patients about the medications they're taking is a brown bag medication review. Utilize this article that explains what a brown bag review is, what a patient should bring and more!
  
• Question Builder: Encourage your patients to build their own list of questions online to bring with them to their next visit to the pharmacy.

Poison Prevention

• Materials for Poison Prevention Education: The Poison Control Center of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia offers a variety of poison education materials for educators, including a variety of brochures, an activity and game book, coloring book, caregiver presentation manual and posters.
  
  
• Poison Help: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Web site offers information on the Poison Help Line, poison prevention articles, prevention tips, infographics, magnets, stickers and more.
  
  
• Poison Prevention Week: This webpage highlights Poison Prevention Week, the third week of March each year, to alert the American people to the problem of unintentional poisonings. Utilize materials on this website to educate patients on poisoning risks, how to keep their home safe and poison proof, and more.
  
  
• Preventing Accidental Poisoning: This list of tips discusses what can be done to prevent accidental poisoning in seniors and children.
  
  
• Up and Away and Out of Sight: This educational program reminds families of the importance of safe medicine storage.

Safe Medication Use

• Medication Guides: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) offers Medication Guides that come with many prescription medicines. The guides address issues that are specific to particular drugs and drug classes, and they contain FDA-approved information that can help patients avoid serious adverse events.
  
  
• Prepare for an Emergency: Share this list of tips with your patients to help them prepare for a potential emergency situation.
  
  
• Safe and Sound - How to Prevent Medication Mishaps: The National Family Caregivers Association offers this toolkit to cover the who, what, where, when and why of medication use for caregivers and patients.
  
  
• Stay Safe by Talking with Your Pharmacist: Share this article from MPA with patients that discusses how consulting with a pharmacist can eliminate risks associated with common mistakes that patients make when taking different medications.
  
  
• Using Medication Safely: Utilize these tips when encouraging your patients to use their medication safely.
  
  

Safe Medication Disposal

• Safe Disposal of Medicines: The Food and Drug Administration provides a wealth of information on safe disposal, including questions and answers, a consumer update, a fact sheet and a list of medicines recommended for disposal by certain methods.
  
  
• Safely Disposing of Your Medications: Share this article from MPA with your patients that provides an overview of safe disposal guidelines, take-back programs available in Michigan and why patients should take precautions.